Cover element, airbag module, dashboard, vehicle safety system and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover element for an airbag module comprising a tear line and at least one hinge area for opening the cover element by swiveling at least one flap which is formed by the tear line when the cover element is opened, wherein at least one stiffening rib having a weakened material portion extends between the tear line and the hinge area. The cover element excels by the fact that the weakened material portion is configured on the side of the hinge area.

1 . A cover element for an airbag module comprising a tear line and at least one hinge area for opening the cover element by swiveling at least one flap which is formed by the tear line when the cover element is opened, wherein at least one stiffening rib having a weakened material portion extends between the tear line and the hinge area,
 wherein   the weakened material portion is configured on the side of the hinge area.   
     
     
         2 . The cover element according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the weakened material portion is configured at an axial end of the stiffening rib which is disposed on the side of the hinge area, and/or in that the stiffening rib extends on both sides of the hinge area.   
     
     
         3 . The cover element according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the hinge area comprises a hinge line about which the flap can be swiveled for opening, wherein the weakened material portion is disposed in the area of the hinge line, in particular on the hinge line.   
     
     
         4 . The cover element according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the stiffening rib ends at the tear line or at a distance in front of the tear line.   
     
     
         5 . The cover element according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein   at least one stiffening rib is disposed on each of both sides of the tear line having a weakened material portion which is configured on the respective side of the hinge area.   
     
     
         6 . The cover element according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the stiffening rib extends beyond the tear line and has a further weakened material portion in the area of the tear line.   
     
     
         7 . The cover element according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the tear line is disposed between two flaps each having a hinge area for opening the cover element.   
     
     
         8 . The cover element according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the tear line is configured at the edge of one single flap.   
     
     
         9 . The cover element according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the weakened material portion extends transversely to the longitudinal extension of the stiffening rib.   
     
     
         10 . The cover element according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein   in plural stiffening ribs the respective weakened material portion extends along the hinge line.   
     
     
         11 . The cover element according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the weakened material portion comprises an area of the stiffening rib the wall thickness of which is smaller than the wall thickness of the remaining stiffening ribs.   
     
     
         12 . The cover element according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the weakened material portion is U-shaped or V-shaped.   
     
     
         13 . An airbag module comprising a cover element according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . An instrument panel comprising a cover element according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A vehicle safety system comprising a cover element according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A method for opening a cover element according to  claim 1  comprising:
 a) configuring the airbag module to be released, 
 b) configuring the tear line to tear so that a moment acts upon the stiffening rib, said moment being configured to generate a stress concentration in the area of the weakened material portion, 
 c) configuring the stiffening rib to break at the weakened material portion so that the cover element swivels about the hinge area and unfolds.